Internal-wind reel mechanism for motion-picture machines



Ian. 19

H. M. STEPHENSON INTERNAL WIND REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 22, 1 9 6 Sheets-Sheet X Enscm.

awwemtoz Jan. 1, 1924' 1,479,332

I H. M. STEPHENSON,

INTERNAL WINDv REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTION PICTURE MAGHINEIS Original Filed Dec. 22. 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 M2 0: a Z7 0 Q) 0 fl/A? a O l .3 v X- w, 2: g no 0 m2 /fl g ,.90 4 v 7 /19 E 245 I J/ 46 A? H. M. STEPHENSON INTERNAL WIND REEL'MECHANISM FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 22. 9 G SheetS-Sheet 5 hensmn. 8mm

. 1,479,332 H. M. STEPHENSON INTERNAL WIND REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 22. 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 1, 19 4 1,479,332

. H. M. STEPHENSON INTERNAL WIND REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTIONPICTURE MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 22, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 5' Jan. 1, 1

H. M. STEPHENSON INTERNAL WIND REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Dec. 22, 1919 amwwtoz Patented Jan. 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES- HARRY M. STEPHENSON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

INTERNAL-m REEL MECHANISM FOR MOTION-PICTURE MACHINES.

Application field December 22, 1919, Serial No. 346,540. Renewed June 4, 1923.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY M. STEPHEN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-Wind Reel Mechanisms for Motion-Picture Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a device for internally winding films in or-- der that the first of the film may be presented on the outer side of the roll when the film is wound, so that it may be passed directly through a projecting machine a second time without rewindin'g, as is the custom at present.

The device of this a plication is an improvement over those sliown in my copendin% cases, Serial Nos. 320,380, and 326,852.

riefly, the invention comprises a casing containing a friction drive plate connected with a reel-carrier for rotation of the carrier. The carrier is equipped to receive the parts of a reel which may be used both for internal winding and for external winding. Power-driven means is provided for feeding the film into the reel, and this is connected with the means for driving a friction wheel which drives the friction plate above mentioned in order thatthe film and the reel may be driven in synchronism, both the film-feeding means and the friction wheel being movable as the film builds up within the reel. Pneumatic means is also provided for holding the film in position within the reel, especially as the free end of the film is first fed in. This means also enables broken ends to be held down in case the film should break when it passes into the reel. Mechanical means are also provided for holding the film in position after being wound into the reel, these means including means for lifting each holding element as it passes the film-feeding device. Inthe present instance this result is obtained by means of a field coil mounted on the casing, and a plurality of pivotally mounted small coils positioned on the rotating parts. Suitable connections are provided for energizing the coils intermittently, and each coil is connected by means of gears and a shaft to lift the filmengaging means within the reel at the time the respective small coil is energized.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear, elevation thereof, with the supporting means for the casing omitted.

Fig; 3 is a fragmentary detail section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the device, showing it in a position for internally winding a film.

Flgs. 5 and 6 are details .of means for holding the film engaging members in ele-- .vated position when a' common externalwind reel is used.

Fig. 7 is a view of the rear of the carrier, showing aportion of the casing.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the film-engaging members. I

Fig. 9 is an elevation looking at the left side of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan of the structure shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a view of the operating rod shown in Fig. 9, looking at the face thereof.

F ig. 12 is a view of the same looking at right angles to that of Fig. 11. v

Fig. 13 is a section of the same.

Fig. 14: is a fragmentary detail in elevation looking at the left side of Fig. 2, and showing the reel in upright position for externally winding a .film.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section through the film-feedin means, as indicated by line 1 5-15 of ig. l6.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section on the line 16--16 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an elevation looking in the di' rection of the arrow 17 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a face view of the forward reel plate, its relation being indicated in connection with a fragment of the casing.

Fig. 19 is a view of the rear reel plate and the rim member of the reel, this view showing the reel with the front plate of Fig. 18 removed.

Fig. '20 is an enlarged detail, showing a modified form of means for engaging and holding the film when the reel is removed from the machine.

The casing 20 has a cover 21 and a back 22. The cover 21 is hinged to the casing by means of ears 23 and apintle 24, the cover being retained in closed position by means of a latch 25. The back of the casing is provided with a large opening 26, for a purpose hereinafter described and this opening is overhung by a bracket 27. The

bracket 27 is centrally provided with a hub ends of which are provided short webs 234 (Figs. 4 and 19'), for strengthening the reel back '33. The outer portion of the hub 32 is reduced as shown in Fig. 4, and receives the hub 35 of the forward reel plate 36, the outer end of the hub 32 of the reel back being flanged over, as indicated at 37, to retain the plate 36. However, the hub 35 is rotatable with respect to the hub 32, and during operation of the machine this forward reel plate 36 is held stationary relatively to the casing 20, by engagement of an offset end 38 of, a spring 39 in a notch 236 in the plate 36. The spring 39 is riveted to the casing 20. Thus, when the back plate 33 and its hub 32 rotate, the forward plate 36 remainsstationary.

The rim of the reel is composed of a plurality of upstanding studs 40, which are integral with a ring 42, contained within a recess in the reel-carrier 31, formed by an upstanding annular 'fiange 231. The ring- 42 is preferably retained against rotation by means of pins 242, fixed in the carrier 31, and projecting into the ring. In order to hold the ring 42 on the carrier, a plurality of latches 41, fixed on the carrier and adapted to overhang the ring 42 when in locking position, may be used.

As shown in the drawings, there are five slots 34 through which five film-engaging members (hereinafter described)- operate.-.

and each of these members is adapted to engage the film resting upon one of the upstanding studs 40, these studs being disposed inradial alignment with the slots 34. The back reel plate 33 is cut out to accommodate the upstanding studs 40 and is of the same diameter as the forward reel plate 36. It will be noted that the film rests upon the studs 40 and merely spans the spaces between the studs 40. Thus, when the film is woundv and the reel is removed from the carrier, there will be an annular portion of both of the reel plates extending beyond the film approximately the thickness of the studs 40, which retain the film upon the reel in better relation than if it were wound flush with the edges of the reel plates. The object in removing the reel is that ,it may then be placed in a projecting machine for reshowing. The reel rim 40,42, remains on the carrier and another reel can be slippedinto place.

For driving this device, a flexible power shaft 43 leading from the projecting machine is used. By this means the rate of movement of the device may be synchronized with thatofthe projecting machine. The flexible shaft 43 drives a bevel gear 44, which meshes with a bevel gear 45. The drive mechanism 43 is journalled in a bracket 46 on the casing and a shaft 47, which carries the bevel gear 45, is also journalled in this bracket. The shaft 47 carries thereon a friction wheel 48, which projects through an extension 49 of the opening 26 in the back of the casing, and engages the friction drive plate 30. A third bevel gear 50 on a shaft 51, also journalled in the bracket 46, is driven from the bevel gear 45. The opposite end of the shaft 51 is journalled in a bracket '52, fixed on the casing 20, and carries a bevel gear 53, mesh- 63, fixed on the end of the sleeve 56. The opposite end of the arm 61 is provided with spaced ears 64, fixed to. the outer end of a housing 65, of the film-feeding mechanism.

The shaft 60 extends'within the housing 65,

and carries a bevel gear 66, meshing with a bevel gear 67, fixed on a shaft 68, for driv-- ing a film-feedingwheel 69, having thereon sprocket teeth 70, the shaft 68 being journalled in a framework 71.- A film-guiding roller 72 (Fig. 15) is-positioned above the wheel 69, and is also journalled in the frame work 71. A film-presser roller 73 is jour- .nalled in the. roller part of the framework 71, in order to press the film into the reel as it is fed. At the opposite side of the framework 71 from the roller 73 a cam-foot 74 is provided for a purpose hereinafter described.

The cover 21 is provided with an elongated curved slot 75, as shown in Fig. 1, and

' 28 of the bracket 27.

and also to prevent bulges in the film or to hold down broken ends, pneumatic means is provided comprising an inner, more or less circular, air passage 80 and a similar outer air pipe 81, these being connected with a cylinder 82, in which reciprocates a piston 83 mounted on a piston rod 84, which is hollow and receives air from any source of supply through a hose 85. Between the two ends of the piston the extension of the rod 84 is perforated, as at 86, for the discharge of compressed air. At 87 a lever 88-is pivoted to the piston rod 84, and this lever is fulcrumed on a standard 89, secured to the cover 21. The opposite end of the lever 88 is pivoted to a link 90, which in turn has its opposite end ivoted on the arm 61. The two ends 83 of t e piston snugly fit the cylinder, and by this means air is fed either to the pipe 81 or to the pipe 80, depending upon the position of the piston. This position is determined by the position of the film-feeding mechanism at 65.. It will be seen that as the arm 61 rises when the film builds up within the reel, the pivot 87 of the lever 88 is lowered, thereby lowering the piston 83. Thus, when the film is first started, air is discharged against it from the opening in the pipe 81. When the film is about half wound the piston has moved so as to cut off air from the pipe 81 and supply it to the pipe 80, which is closer to 1the film which has built up within the rec Upon the back 22 of the casing a field coil 100 is mounted, this coil having an exposed pole 101. Cooperating with this is a plurality of small coils 102, having exposed poles 103, adapted to passin close proximity with the pole 101 of the field coil 100. These small coils 102 are pivoted at 1.04 and 106, in a flange 105 on the hub of the friction drive plate 30. One of the pivots 106 extends through the plate '30, and is provided with a bevel gear 107 meshing with a gear 108, on a radially disposed shaft 109, lying in a slot in the reel carrier and having its ends journalled in the hub and in the periphery of the carrier. Each small coil 102 is connected with a contact 110 embedded in insulation mounted upon the flange 105 of the hub of the drive plate 30. These contacts cooperate with a brush 111 mounted in insulation 112, fixed on the hub This brush has electric connection at 113 with a battery or other source of current, as indicated.

The outer end of each of the rods 109 in the carrier 31 is provided with a bevel gear 120,'splined thereon and fixed in a movable framework 122, which carries a bevel gear 121, secured on a shaft 124, journalled in the framework 122. The gear 120 meshes with this gear 121, and the shaft 124 is fixedly connected with a bifurcated film-engaging arm 125, which has on its free end a filmengaging roller 126. One of these film-engaging members is provided for each of the small. coils 102 and projects through one of the slots in the carrier 31 and through one of the slots 34 in the reel back 33. A spring 127 is fixed to the lower end of the framework 122 and to the bottom 128 of the filmengaging arm 125, this spring tending to draw the portion 128 of the arm 125 into contact with a seat 129 of the frame 122. The frame 122 is provided with tongues 130, for slidably mounting the same in the slots of the carrier 31, these tongues being held in position on the carrier by means of guide strips 131. The groove in the rod 109 in which each gear 120 is splined is indicated at 132. The rod 109 at one side of this groove, 132 is smooth, as indicated at 133. The opposite side is toothed, as indicated at 134, the tops of the teeth lying very slightly below the surface 133. With this there cooperates a leaf-spring 135, which rests upon a smooth face 133 when thearm 125 is in engagement with the film, but which engages with the teeth 133 when the rod is turned to bring the arm 125 into elevated position for releasing the film,'as hereinafter more fully described.

a It will be seen that as the film fills up within the reel, each frame 122 under normal conditions will rise in its slot; but to make this positive, a long finger 140, which projects through a slot 141 in the side of the casing 20, is provided with a cam-face 143, for engaging a projecting pin 142 on the bottom of each frame 122. This finger 140 is fixed to the movable sleeve 56. As the film-feeding device 65, 70, rises with the film as it builds up in the reel, the corresponding end of the arm 61 is elevated, thereby rotating the sleeve 56 in its bearing 57 and raisin the cam-face 143 of the finger 140 to posltively elevate the frames 122 if necessary. At the same time an arm 256 fixed to the sleeve 56 at the back of the casing has its opposite end elevated, this end being connected, as indicated at 248, with the friction wheel 48, which is splined on the shaft 47. In this manner the friction wheel 48 is gradually moved inwardly on the friction drive plate 30 in synchronism with the building up of the film in the reel.

Means is provided for placing a standard reel upon the reel-carrier and winding the film thereonto at the last showing of a film, in order that the same may be sent to the exchange in the ordinary condition. This means constitutes a pair of rollers 150, provided in the top of the casing 20 and between which the film is run, rim 40, 42, being removed.

The reel of this invention is also designed, as above indicated, for placing in a rejecting machine to wind the film therefrom tures to receive the heads, which are rotatable in order to positively hold the reel against the carrier 31. Radially disposed slots 152 receivepivoted fingers 153, the inner end of each finger being formed to engage the ed es of the film, while the outer end is presse by a spring 155. When the reel is in position on the carrier, the upper end of each finger engages the carrier and is thereby ressed forward against the tension of spring 155. A web 254 at the outer end of each slot 152 maintains the rigidity of the reel-back. When the reel is to be withdrawn the heads on the pins 151 are turned. to f drawn forward from the reduced portion 229 of the shaft 29. The springs 155 then cause the-inner ends of the fingers 153 to engage firmly with the edges of the film. The modified form shown in Fig. 20 may be used if desired. Here the inner end of each finger is formed with steps '154, the lowermost of which firmly engages the innermost convolutions of the film if a film of full length has been wound. Otherwise one of the outer steps will engage these innermost convolutions. In this manner the steps of the fingers 15 3 serve the purpose of a core for the reel and when the same is placed in a'projecting machine the film may then be readily unwound externally.

When a standard reel is placed in a machine for the final winding of the film, it

7 is necessary to hold up the arms 125 and their rollers 126. For this purpose 24 simple latch 160 is pivoted at 161, to the forward face of the carrier 31 and if necessar either'the carrier 31 or the back of the ree plate 33 maybe countersunk. This latch is shown in inoperative position in Fi 5, and in operative position in Fig. 6.

en the film is being wound internally, it is necessary that the reel be set at an angle of about thirty degrees, as indicated in ig. 4; but when being wound externally, it must be vertically disposed, as in Fig. 14. For this purpose, adjusting means is provided. This is composed of an ear 170 on the casing 20, hinged at 171 to an ear 172 of a supporting arm 173, preferably provided on the projecting machine. The ear 170 of the reel is'provided with a curved downwardly extending arm 174, having a pair of notches 175, each of which is adapted to receive a pin 176 on a pivoted link 5177, mounted on a laterally extending bracket 178, integralv with the support 173. The

ree the reel, and the reel is then link 177 may be elevated to free the in 176 from the notches, and the reel shifte to the desired position, the pin then being dropped into the respective notch.

In operation the film is fed in through the feeding device 65, 70, the free end being held down by the pneumatic means so that is will be in position to be engaged by the engaging rollers 126. Four of the five rollers are always in engagement with the film as it is wound, but as each roller approaches the film-feeding mechanism, one of the contacts 110 comes into engagement with the brush 111, completing the current through the coil '100 and through one of the small coils 102 to energize the same. This takes place by reason of the fact that one terminal of the conductor of each coil is grounded on the machine. When a small coil -102 passes the pole 101, the energized pole 101 attracts the pole 103 of the small 122. from slipping down on the rod 109. I

When the coil 102 passes the pole 101, and the circuit is broken, the finger 1 25 returns to film-engaging position by reason of the spring 127 the finger 135 passes from the teeth 134 to the smooth face 133, and theframe 122 rides up on the rod 129 a distance equal to the-thickness of the film. But if for any reason this should fail to take place, the cam-face 143 will positively lift the frame 122 when the respective pin 142 passes the same.

In the event that the electrical operation through these coils should fail at any time, the curved cam-foot 74 provided on the film-feeding device is provided. This foot travels in close relation to the film, and the roller 126, if not lifted electrically, will ride up on this cam-foot into the position shown in Fig. 4, which is substantially the same as if electrically lifted. This brings the roller 126 to a point beyond the incoming section of the film before it is allowed to fall. When the film has been entirely wound, the cover is opened and the reel withdrawn after turning of the heads on the pins 1551. The reel is now ready to be placed in a projecting machine for reshowing. At the last showing, a standard reel is placed in the device, the mechanism is placed in the vertical position of Fig. 14, and the film run ezggernally onto the'reel between the rollers 1 A feature that is worthy of note is that as the film is fed by the power-driven feeding means, the longitudinal rigidity of the film tends to imparta positive thrust from the film-feed to the reel to assist it in its rotation. In view of this, the friction drive for the carrier may be so adjusted as to rotate the reel at a rate slightly less than the feeding of the film, rather than at a rate slightly greater, which latter would tend to stretch the film and possibly result in breaks. Thus if the rotation of the reel is a little slower than the film feeding, the

thrust of the film itself received from the film-feed device will give the reel the-proper speed, the friction plate slipping on the friction wheel.

It will also be noted that the field coil 100 and the small coils 102 constitute in effect a small five-pole motor which will in itself tend to increase the speed of rotation of the carrier. It would be possible therefore to get rotation of the reel merely by the effect of the motor thus constituted and by the thrust of the film received from the filnrfeed, omitting the friction drive.

I claim:

1. An internal-wind mechanism, comprising a casing, an internal-wind reel within thecasing, means to drive the reel, means within the reel to engagea film, and powerdriven means to positively feed the film into the reel, said filrr engaging means comprising intermittently movable pressure devices adapted to be withdrawn from the film as Jtfilfianreel passes the incoming portion of the 2. An internal-wind mechanism, comprising a casing, an internal-wind reel within the casing, means to drive the reel, means within the reel to engage a film, powerdriven means to positively feed the film into the reel, said film-engaging means comprising intermittently movable pressure devices adapted to be withdrawn from the film as the reel passes the. incoming portion of the film, and said film-feeding means and said film-engaging means being movable bodily inward as the film builds up within the reel.

3. An internal-wind mechanism, comprising a casing, an internal-wind reel within the casing, means to drive the reel, means within the reel to engage a film, powerdriven means to positively feed the film into the reel, said film-feeding means and said film-engaging means being automatically movable bodily inward as the film builds up within the reel, and arms connecting said film-feeding means with said reel-driving means to drive the reel in synchronism with means for applying air under pressure means to drive the reel,

and a movable piston within said cylinder to supply air to one pipe or the other.

6. An internal-wind mechanism for films, compr1sing a casing, an internal-wind reel within the casing, means to drive the reel,-

means to feed the film into the reel, means for applying air under pressure against the inner face of the wound film to hold the same against the reel, said film-feeding means being movable on the film built up within the reel as it builds up, said air-applying means comprising a plurality of conduits arranged concentrically, a cylinder with which said conduits are connected, a movable member in said cylinder to supply air to one of said conduits or the other, and a connection between said movable member and said film-feeding means for synchronous movement.

7 .-An internal-Wind mechanism for films, comprising a casing, a reel carr er within the casing, an internal-wind reel on the carrier, means to feed a film into said reel, radially disposed rods j ournalled in said carrier, a frame slidable on each rod, a gear in the frame and splined on the vrod, a second gear journalled in the frame and carrying an oscillatory film-engaging arm, and means to turn each rod intermittently as the respective arm passes said film-feeding rrieans tov lift the respective'arm from the fi m.

8. An internalfwindme'chanism for films, comprising a casing, a reel carrier within the casing, an internal-wind reel on the carrier, means to feed a film into said reel, radially disposed rods journalled in said carrier, a frame slidable on each rod, a gear in the frame and splined on the rod, a second gear journalled in the frame and carrying an oscillatory film-engaging arm, means to turn each rod intermittently as the respective arm passes said film-feeding means to lift the respective arm from the film, said rod-turning means comprising a field coil mounted upon the casing and having an exposed pole, and a small coil for each rod pivotally mounted upon the carrier and having an exposed pole to pass the pole of said field coil, a brush on the casing, a" contact for each small coil on the carrier to pass said brush and close a circuit through said field coil and through said small coils successively whereby said small coils are successively rotated on their pivots and a arin connection between each of said plvots an the respective rod.

9. An internal-wind reel mechanism, comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within the casing having an annular flange providing a pocket on one face thereof, a reel on said carrier held in said ocket, a reel rim also on the carrier and he d in said pocket, said reel and rim being separate and separately removable from said carrier, and means for feeding a film into said reel and within said rim for internal winding of the film.

10. An internal-wind reel mechanism comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within the casing having an annular flange providinga pocket on one face thereof, a reel on said carrier held in said pocket, a reel rim also on the carrier and held in said pocket, said reel and rim being separate and separately removable from said carrier, and means for feeding a film into said reel and Within said rim for internal winding of the film, said reel having a non-rotary forward plate with an aperture therein through which the incoming film passes.

11. An internal-wind reel mechanism, comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within the casing having an annular flange providing a pocket on one face thereof, a reel on said carrier held in said pocket, a reel rim also on the carrier and held in said pocket, said reel and rim being separate and separately removable from saidcarrier,

means for feeding a film into said reel and Within said rim for. internal winding of the film, said rim comprising a ring and outstanding studs on said ring, and said reel having a back plate notched to fit about said studs, whereby the film will build up on the studs and span the spaces between them.

12. An internal-wind reel mechanism comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within said casing, a reel having a back plate mounted on the carrier, a reel rim separate from said reel and mounted on said carrier, both said rim and reel being removable from said carrier, means for feeding a film into said reel within said rim for internal winding of the film, said reel having a forward platewith respect to which the rear plate is rotatable, said forward plate having an aperture through which the incoming film passes, and means for holding the forward plate against rotation.

13. An internal-wind reel mechanism comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier wlthin said casing, a reel having a back plate mounted on the carrier, a reel rim separate from said reel and mounted on said carrier, both said rim and reel being removable from said carrier, means for feeding a film into said reel within said rim for internal winding of the film, said rim comprising a ring and outstanding studs on said ring, and said" reel having a back plate notched to fit about said studs, whereby the film will build up on the studs and span the spaces between them.

14. An internal-wind reel mechanism comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within said casing, a reel having a back plate mounted on the carrier, a reel rim separate from said reel and mounted on said carrier, both said rim and reel being removable from said carrier, means for feeding a film into said reel within said rim for internal winding of the film, said back' plate having slots therein, fingers journalled in said slots .and spring-pressed to urge the inner ends of said fingers normally into engagement with the edges of a wound film, the outer ends of said fingers being in engagement with said carrier to withdraw the inner ends of said fingers from the film when the reel is in position on the carrier, said inner ends being provided with film-holding parts.

15. An internal-wind reel mechanism comprising a casing, a rotary reel-carrier within said casing, a reel having a back plate mounted on the carrier, a reel rim separate from said reel and mounted on said carrier, both said-rim and reel being removable from said carrier, means for feeding a film into said reel within said rim for internal winding of the film, said back plate having slots therein, fingers ivoted in said slots, one end of each finger eing provided with parts for engaging the edges of the film, and means to urge said parts into engageme'nt with the edges of the film when the reel is withdrawn but ada ted to permit withdrawal of the fingers f i'om the film when the reel is in operative position.

16. An internal-wind reel mechanism for Y films comprising a support, a reel-carrier rotatable thereon, a reel on said carrier to rotate therewith and having a back, slots in said reel back, swinging film-engaging members projecting through said slots to en age film in the reel, frames slidably mounte on said carrier and in which said engaging members are pivotally mounted, radially disposed rods journalled in the carrier, a gear splined on each rod and mountedin the respective frame, a gear connected with the respective swinging member and meshin with the first-named gear, means to fee film to said reel and movable with the film as it builds up, and means to rotate the rods individually and periodically to lift the said members as they pass the incoming portion of the film.

17. An internal-wind 'reel mechanism for films comprising a support, a reel-carrier rotatable thereon, a reel on said carrier to rotate therewith and having a back, slots in said reel back, swinging film-engaging members projecting throng S id, Sl ts to engage film in the reel, frames slidably mounted on said carrier and in which said engaging members are pivotally mounted, radially disposed rods ournalled in the carrier, a gear splined on each rod and mounted in the respective frame, a gear connected with the respective swinging member and meshing with the first-named gear, means to feed film to said reel and movable with the film as it builds up, means to rotate the rods individually and periodically to lift the said members as they pass the incoming portion of the film, and a spring on each frame and engaging the respective film-engaging member to return it to film-engaging position.

18. An internalwind reel mechanism for films comprising a su port, a reel-carrier rotatable thereon, a ree on said carrier to ro-' tate therewith and having a back, slots in said reel back, swinging film-engaging members projectin through said slots to engage film in the ree frames slidably mounted on said carrier and in which said engaging members are pivotall mounted, radially disposed rods journal ed in the carrier, a gear splined on each rod and mounted in the respective frame, a gear connected with the respectiye swinging member and meshing with the first-named gear, means to feed 1 film to said reel and movable with the film as it builds up, means to rotate the rods individually and periodically to lift the said members as they pass the incoming portion of the film, a projection on each frame, and a finger connected with said movable filmfeeding means and projecting into the path of the projections and movable by said feeding means to insure inward movement of the frames as the film builds up in the reel.

19. An internal-Wind reel mechanism comprising a support, a reel carrier rotatable thereon, an internal-wind reel on said carrier, means to feed film into said reel, means to hold the film in position on the reel, said feeding means comprising a power-driven film-engaging sprocket, and a film-engaging roller for pressing the film into position as it enters the reel, said feeding means also carrying a cam-foot adapted for engagement by said film-holding means to elevate the same as the latter passes the incoming portion of the film.

20. A reeling mechanism comprising a support, a casing hingedly mounted thereon, a latch connection between the support and the casing for anchoring the latter either in upright or in inclined position, a rotary reel-carrier within the casing adapted to carry either an internal-wind reel or an external-wind reel, a cover on the casing having a slot for the passage of film to an internal-wind reel, and a guide in the casing for1 the passing of film to an external-wind ree In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HARRY M. STEPHENSON. 

